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Dear Friends, Welcome to my website! |
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March 12 , 2006 Dear friends in life and in ministry . . . Since Friday, I've helped three families celebrate the new life of loved ones who have been called home to the Lord. What a blessing it is to be so intimately involved with good people as they grieve. What a blessing to share with them my faith that God's mercy is unequivocal and that God has embraced their parent, spouse or friend love. Sunday afternoon I celebrated with our catechumens and candidates the Rites of Sending and Election. At Sunday's 9:00 a.m. Mass, St. Mary's parishioners prayed over the adults who will receive the Easter Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil and "Sent" them ritually to Bishop Clark who ritually "Elected" them to journey with the larger Church. For the Southern Tier of the Diocese of Rochester, the Rite of Election was held this year at St. Mary's Church in Elmira. As usual, Bishop Clark was warm, gentle and very eloquent in his words of welcome to the over 100 people entering the Church through the RCIA at local parishes this year. This weekend's column was again inspired by a parish mission by Fr. Scott Seethaler that Pat and I attended while in Florida. It is the first in a series entitled "Have a Heart". Personally, another of Fr. Scott's Lenten talks - "Let's Eliminate Negative Thinking" continue to inspire and challenge both me and my parishioners. I'm attaching a copy of my homily on the Transfiguration which again references Fr. Scott's theme. (See clickable image below: Transfiguration Hope your week is blessed . Ray
March 12 , 2006 Have a Heart! On the first night of the Retreat, the title of Fr. Scott’s presentation was “Have a Heart.” He reminded us of Jesus’ admonition that “Where your heart is - there your treasure lies” and noted that as part of our life journey to God and full maturity, there are eight kinds of hearts we need to acquire. Acquiring each “Heart” is necessary before we are able to move on to the next. Heart #1 Baby to Age 10: A Thankful Heart As little babies we are cherished and loved unconditionally by our parents. We can do no wrong. Every smile, squirm, babble and burp is accepted with tender delight. But by the time we reach the “terrible twos” and learn the word “No!” - people start placing restraining expectations on our “personal freedom.” When we want something, we now must say “Please.” And when we receive something we want, we are taught to say “Thank you!” It is essential to our socialization into family and community that we understand and exhibit “Thankful Hearts.” Children soon learn that being thankful also has its rewards. A thankful response by phone or card to a grandparent’s Christmas gift pays big dividends on our birthday. People appreciate being thanked. It is good to cultivate a “Thankful Heart”, even for initially selfish reasons. Heart #2 Age 11 - Teens: A Generous Heart There was a time when all kids had chores to perform. But as families moved from the farm and two children rather than ten became the norm, less emphasis was placed on sharing our time and talents generously. But we need to help our children learn generosity. To be happy in life, a person must develop a “Generous Heart.” Generous hearts know that it is in “giving that we receive” and that those who keep their gifts and talents for themselves alone, lose them. But those who are generous “preserve them to everlasting life.” Next week we’ll further explore the types of hearts we need to grow at other stages of life. Have a holy, blessed and very positive Lenten Week. Deacon Ray Defendorf |
Over the years, God has blessed me with many wonderful opportunites to minister. As a Roman Catholic permanent deacon of the Diocese of Rochester, New York, (ordained 1982), I have served in a wide variety of ministries. Whether I am ministering to my parish, hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, travel or retreat groups (e.g. Cursillo, Walk to Emmaus, Koiniania, Pre Cana, Youth) - music has played an important role in opening doors and hearts.
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This website is an extension of that ministry. Here you'll find the lyrics to many of my prayer-songs and, if you like, purchase from a collection of CDs I've recorded. There's also information about tours and pilgrimages that my wife Pat and I occasionally host and links to web sites I've found interesting. |
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I pray that you will enjoy this visit,
and if you like, . |
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